Can I Put A Dimmer On A Ceiling Fan

How to wire wall switches for a ceiling fan.

Can i put a dimmer on a ceiling fan.

Install a fan control switch. The new switch does require an additional electrical wire. For a switch to effectively slow down that type of motor it requires a variable frequency drive vfd or a triac with some extra circuitry. A regular dimmer switch simply reduces the voltage.

A dimmer switch should only be used for controlling lights that are compatible with the dimmer switch. Converting a three speed ceiling fan to variable speed is even easier if the original fan was wired to a light switch to turn. Using a standard dimmer with a ceiling fan can damage the motor and or cause the dimmer and or motor to overheat and cause a fire. An example of this is that the motor in your fan could be damaged and rendered useless.

Wiring ceiling fan switches. Don t try to use a dimmer switch as a fan speed control. If you see the text for incandescent only. A typical ceiling fan motor is an ac induction motor.

Or something similar you should not use this dimmer with a motor load. You need to open up the switch box and or the fan connections to see. There is a growing misconception that this is safe to do but the logic behind it is flawed. I know intuitively it seems like it would work but its not a good idea.

You can install a ceiling fan light dual dimmer switch to operate the fan speed and light intensity from the original wall switch location. If they ran two wires even if they connected them both to the switch you should be able to split off the light for a dimmer. If there is only one switched wire going to the fan light combo then no. You can t put the motor on the dimmer.

You cannot use a light dimmer to control a fan. That works with lights but will burn out a motor and maybe burn down the house. A dimmer switch should never be wired as the main controlling switch for a ceiling fan or ceiling fan remote control. The best option you have for a ceiling fan that is wired to a standard dimmer switch is to change it out for a simple toggle switch.

There are a few better options available to you. Hi todd sorry to hear about your ceiling fan and yes wiring a ceiling fan to a dimmer switch most likely burnt up your ceiling fan and here s why. Although this will eliminate your ability to dim the light on the ceiling fan it will also reduce the risks of damage to the fan or your home. A broken ceiling fan motor and a house fire are obviously not ideal outcomes however there is some good news.